Thermometer



Sept. 6, 1932. c. R. PALMER ET Al. `1,875,757

' THERMOMETER Filed April 20.l 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l `1q*'-1 v I I I W, www.

I .7 3 nontom Sept. 6, 1932. C, R, PALMER ET AL 1,875,757

Filed .April 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 6, 1932. c. R. PALMER ET AL. 1,875,757`

. THERMOMETER fleafipril 20, 1928 4. sneets-'sheet s Sept. 6, 1932. c. R. PALMER ET AL THERMOMETER File'd lApril 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 6, 1 932 UNITEDISTATES PATENT oFFlcE CHARLIES R. PALMER AND CURTIS P. MITCHELL, OF CINCINNATI, OEIO; SAID MI'I'CHELI:

I ASSIGNOR'TO SAID PALMER TH ERMOMETER This invention relates to a large temperature registering device suitable for use as an advertising or display thermometer. The device may be as large as desired, for instance, anywhere from a few l feet. to a hundred feet or more in height. 4

The object of the invention is to produce such a large display temperature registering device which will be ver accurate, and sens1t1ve to temperature c anges, and wlnch will be visible and legible from a great dis- 4 tance and is operated by relatively small mechanism.

Further objects and advantages will be more vfully set forth in a description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in'which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the temperature registerng device.

Figure2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line- 3-3, Figure 1, detailing the construction of the frame at the base, and showing rthe mounting of the weight roller hung 1n` the lower end of the indicator belt.

Figure 4 is an enla-rged fragmentary view of the mechanism for automatically moving and controlling the movement of the temperature indicator.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the upper end of the device showing the previously mentioned mechamsm. .3

Figure 6 1s a. sectional vlew taken on lme 6- 6, Figure 4, detailing the swinging contact end of the thermostat and the contacts adjacent the swinging end. v

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7--7, Figure 6, detailing the. relation of the contact to the swinging thermostat end.

F igure 8 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuits used in this device.

Figure 9 is a sectional viewtaken on line 9-9, F igure 5 Figure 10 is a front elevation partly broken away of a modified form of indicator and temperature scale arrangement.

Figur-e 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11, Figure 10, further detailing this modificatio Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12 12, Figure 10.

This temperature registering device comprises a temperature scale, an indicator movable in relation thereto, a motor for moving the indicator, and a thermostat .adapted to control theflrotationand counter-rotation of the' motor to adjust the indicator on the scale to registerA the temperature of the environment. v i The thermostat comprises a thermally sensitive member adapted to move over a given path responsively to changes in temperature and to occupy a definite position in said path for a definite temperature, and a control member provided with contacts, one on each side of said thermally sensitive member, the control member operatively connected with the motor to be moved by its rotation in the path of travel of the thermally sensitive member, the contacts on the thermally sensitive member being so connected to the motor that the contact of either to the thermally sensitive member revolves the motor in the direction tending to disestablish the contact.

The temperature bindicator preferably comprises a flexible endless band mounted upon rollers, one of which is driven by the motor through reduced motion mechanism, and the other of which holds the band taut. The control device bearing the contacts is preferably mounted upon a threaded shaft, forming an extension on the shaft of the driving 'roll. The exact relationship of these various elements may be varied somewhat, however, to provide correct tions for the operating me'chanism 1n relation to the size thermometer desired.

More specifically, the temperature registering device comprises a long relatively narrow sheet metal back member 1, disclosed as in a Vertical position, provided with forwardly turned flanges 2 against which are disposed front plates 3 which .do not meet but have a channel between them. The inner edges of ropork tion of which is utilized as a mounting for the thermostat and associated operating mechanism. v f

` Upon the outer surfaces of the front plates, on either side of the vertically extending channel between them, is a temperature scale 5 on which the temperature of the environment is adapted to be registered by an endless flexible member 6 such as a belt or band which is provided with a line of demarcation 7 which serves as an indicator in relation to the scale. If desired, the portion of the flexible indicator can be white above this index line and red or anyother color below 'to simulate the appearance of a mercury or other type thermometer. This endless flexible member is mounted upon a roller 8 aligned with the channel, said roller secured to a shaft 9 journalled in bearingslO attached to the back member 1 at a point above the termination of the front plates 3. The channel' members which space the front plates from the back are provided near their bottoms With slots 11 in which is disposed a weight roller 12 about which the flexible member passes, so that this weight roller holds the flexible member taut. The belt or band 6 is guided by engagement with theoverhanging inner edges 3a of the plates 3. If desired, Springs can be substituted for gravity in order to hold the flexible member taut.

lit-motor 13 is mounted upon the back member 1. On the end of the motor shaft is a pinion 14 which drives a large gear 15 mounted on the same shaft 16 with a second small pinion 17 which turns a large gear 18 mountled on the same shaft 19 with a small pinion 20 which drives a large gear 21 mounted upon a shaft 22 which is connected to the shaft onw, These` which' is mounted the upper roller. shafts arej ournalled in plates 23 and 24 whlch are secured to blocks 25 attached to the back member 1 by means of screws 26. A U- shaped brace 27 is secured to these plates at their outer ends to stabilize the construction.

This mechanism is al motion reducing mechanism which provides slow motion of the roller suspending the fleXible indicator in comparison to the comparatively rapid rotation of the motor. The portion of the shaft 22 between the reduced motion mechanism and the shaft 9 of the roller is provided with a screw thread of relatively fine pitch as at 28.

A thermally sensitive member 29, comprising two lengths of dissimilar metal joined together, is mounted at one end on a block 30 by means of two plates 31 one on either side of the thermally sensitive member and screws 32 passing through both of said plates and the thermally sensitive member and into the block. This block 30 is attached to the back member 1 in such a positionthat the other end of the thermally sensitive member extends past the screw threaded portion of the l' shaft 227 the general extent of the thermally' sensitive member being transverse to said shaft or substantially at right 'angles thereto. A plate 33 of insulating material is secured to this end of the thermally sensitive member by means of a screw 34 and a nut 35. To this plate is secured a contact bearing extension 36 by means of a screw 37 and nut 38. This contact bearing extension is provided with two contacts 39, 40, one on either side thereof, so that a line passing through the centers of said contacts 'would be, in general, parallel with the axis of the shaft 22.,

Pivoted to the block 30 on the outer face thereof is a strap 41 extending substantially parallel to the thermally sensitive member. To this strap is attached a block 42 by means of a screw 43 passing through'both members. The screw 43 passes through a slot 43aL disposed longitudinally of the strap 41 (see Figure 6). The block and strap are permitted to move relatively, because of the clearance afforded by the slot as the block moves along the shaft to either side, thereby preventing binding of the block on the screw shaft. This block is screw threaded upon the threaded portion of the shaft v22, so that the rotation of that shaft moves the block along the shaft. On the outer end of this strap is disposed a contact holding member comprising a base V plate 45 which is secured to the end of the strap by a screw 46 and two side plates 47 of base plate by screws 48 and nuts 49. These side plates are disposed one on each side of the contact bearing extension from the thermally sensitive member.

On the insides of these side plates are disposed contacts 50 each of which is adapted to contact' one of the contacts on the thermally sensitive member.

lThese various elements are connected up as disclosed in Figure 7. Since alternating current is more available than direct current the disclosure is made in relation to an alternating current motor.

motor is connected to both contacts of the' member disposed on the end of strap 41. Each connection, however, is made through one field winding 56 or 57 of the alternating current motor, so that the closing of the circuit by reason of one of the contacts 50 on the thermally sensitive member touching either contact carried by the Strap closes the circuit through the motor armature and through one of the field windings.

Therefore, when the thermally sensitive member contacts on one side said closing of los the circuit'revolves 'the motor' in one direction, and contacting onethe other sidevrevolves the motor in the reverse direction.

The screw thread of the shaft 22 is so arranged in regard to these connections that the making of contact revolves the motor and moves the block and rod inv the' direction tending to disestablish said contact and open the circuit.

For the purpose `of decreasing the sparking at the contacts two. small condensers 58, 59, are disposed between the input terminal 54 and each field windin These condensers are, in other words, eac connected in parallel with the motor armature. v

A second form of this device is shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The operating mechanism is similar in all respects to that used in the first form. The difference lies in the fact that the temperature registering portion of the device is made to simulate in appearance the ordinary tubular thermometer.

'A glass tube is located in the channel between the front plates 3 and is held in such position disposed between the front plates and back members, or rather between the front plates and a pair of Z-Shaped members, which have their flanges 62 attached to the front plates. A semi-clrcular element63 having fianges 64 at each side thereof, sur- .rounds the lback of the tube and' has its flanges secured to the respective Z-shaped members 61. This element` extends from the back 1 to the base of the tube and has an inturned flange 65' engaging the lower end at the back. The belt or flexible endless member which was used in the form first disclosed is also used in thisform and is run through the spaces between the two tubes .at the front and back of the device, the tubes shaping said flexible member to a' convex form to simulate more closely in appearance an ordinary thermometer. g

In operatlon the thermally sensitive member assumes a glven positlon for a given temf' vperature of the environment. `If the indicator on the fiexible member is ntin a cor- .responding position to register this temperature one of the contacts 50 istouched by one of the contacts 39, 40, on theend of the thermally sensitive member which starts the motor, operates the reduced motion mechanism, turns the roller, and adjusts the indicator to the appropriate position on the scale to provide a reading corresponding to the correct temperature.

' This rotation of the motor lalso moves the strap 41 and the contact is di'sestablished and the4 circuit broken When the indicator has.

reached the proper position. If the temperature continues to change in the same direction the thermally sensitive member moves, re-establishes the contact and operates the motor to move the indicator and disestablish the contact. If the temperature changes lin,

is broken when the indicator gives the properr reading on the scale.

In this way, a relatively small and sim- I .ple device is used to operate a very large temperature register-ing device which may be rmade so as to be visible for a great distance, and is adapted for advertising or display purposes such as, for instance, as a substitute for clocks in front of banks, or upon the tops of buildings. v

Having described our inventon, we claim: 1. A temperature registering, device, comprising, a thermally sensitive member adaptsol ed to move over a given path responsively 5 to changes in temperature and to occupy a.

definite position in said path for a definite temperature, a member .bearing a temperature scale, a temperature indicator movable I in relation to said scale, amotor adapted to move said indicator, and a lcontrol member provided with contacts, one on each side of said thermally sensitive member, said control member operatively connected with said motor to be moved by its rotation in the path of travel of the thermally sensitive member, said contacts on said member so connected to said motor that -the contact of either withl the thermally sensitive member revolves vthe motor in the direction tending to disestablish said contact. I .2. Al large temperature registering device, comprising, a member bearing atemperature scale, a flexible temperature indicator movable in relation thereto, a roller Supporting said indicator, a motor adapted to turn'said roller and move said indicator, and a thermostat 'adapted to control the rotation and counter-rotation of said motor to adjust the indicator on said scale to register the temperature of the environment' i 3. A large temperature registering device, comprising, 'a thermally sensitive member adapted to move over a given path responsively to changes in temperature and to occupy a definite position in lsaidpath for a definiteV temperature, amember bearing a temperature scale. a flexible temperature indicator movable in relation to said scale,va-

indicator, and a control member provided able in relation thereto, a roller pendently' Supporting said indicator, a motor, reduced motion mechanism operatively connecting said motor and said roller, and a thermostat adapted to control the rotation and counterrotation of said motor to adjust the indicator on said scale to register the temperature of I the environment.

- 5. A large temperature registering device, comprising, a thermally sensitive member adapted to move over a given path responsively to changes in temperature and to occupy a definite'g-position in said path for a definite temperfature, a member bearing a 'temperature scale, av flexible temperature indicator movable in relation tosaid scale, a roller pendently Supporting' said indicator, aL motor, reduced motion mechanism operatively connectingvsaid motor and roller, and a control member provided with contacts, one on each side of said thermally sensitive member, said control member operatively connected withsaid roller to be moved by the rotation lof the motor in the path of travel of .the thermally sensitive member, said contacts on said member so connected to said motor that the contact of either with the thermally sensitive member revolves the motor inthe direction tending to disestablish said contact.

6. A large temperature registcring device, comprising, a member bearin a temperature scale, a .flexible belt marke to serve as a temperature indicator, a roller pendently supporting said indicator, a weighted'roller at the lower loop of said belt holding the same taut, a motor adapted to turn said roller and move said indicator, and a thermostat adapted to control the rotation and counter-rotation of said motor to adjust theindicator on said scale to register the temperature of the environment. 7. A,.large temperature registering device, comprising, a thermally sensitive member adapted to move over a given path responsively to changes in temperature and to occupy af definite position in said path for a defimte temperature, a member bearing a temperature scale, an endless flexible temperature indicator .movable in relation to said scale, a

' roller pendently Supporting said indicator, a

roller at thelower loop of said indicator, said roller adapted to hold said indicator taut, a

namn? motor adapted to turn said Supporting roller and move said indicator, an a control member provided with contacts, one on each side of said thermallysensitive member, said control member operatively connected with said motor to be moved by its rotation in the path of travel of the thermally sensitivemember, said contacts on said member so connected to sa1d motor that the contact of either with the thermally sensitive member revolves the motor in fthe direction tending to disestablish said contact.

8. A large-temperature registering device, comprising, a member bearing a temperature scale, an endless flexible temperature indicator movable in relation thereto, a roller pendently Supporting said indicator, a roller at the lower loop of said indicator to hold the same taut, a motor, reduced motion mechanism connecting' said motor and said roller, and a'thermostat adapted to control the rotation and counter-rotation of said motor to adjust the indicator on said scale to register the temperature of the environment.

9. A large temperature registering comprising, a thermally adapted to move over a given path responsively to changes in temperature and to occupy a definite position in said path for a. definite temperature, a member bearing a temperature scale, a flexible' belt marked to indicate temdevice,

sensitive member perature in relation to said scale, a roller pendently sup orting said belt, means for holding said elt taut, a motor, a screw threaded shaft rotatively connected with said motor, reduced motion mechanism connecting said screw threaded shaft and motor, and a control member provided with contacts, one`V on each side' of said thermally sensitive member, said control member translatably connecting with the screw portion of saidscrew threaded shaft so as to be moved by the rotation of the motor in the path of travel of the thermally sensitive member, said contactsv on said member so connected to said motor that the contact of either with the thermally sensitive member. revolves the motor in the direction tending to disestablish said contact. v

10. A temperature indicating device, comprising, an indicator movable in opposite directions, an electric motor, a transmission connecting said electric motor to said indicator, a thermally sensitive member, electric motor circuit controlling switch elements, relatively movable 'for motor circuit and' direction control, one of said switch elements movable by said thermally sensitive member for engagement with the second switch element for motor starting control, and a transmission connecting the motor and the other switch element for actuating said other switch element and disengaging the switch elements for motor stobpping control.

11. temperature indicating device, comlot prising, an indicator, an electrie motor, a transm1ss1on connectmg sald electnc motor to sald lndlcator, a, thermally sens1t1ve memv ber; electric motor circuit control switch elements relatively movable .for electric motor circuit control, one movable by said thermally sensitive member and the second movable by said motor for making and breaking the circuit to the motor.

In Witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names.

CHARLES R. PALMER. CURTIS P. MITCHELL. 

